So, how was BABE? What did everyone buy? How about the Portland Bead Society show - how did Kalera and Paulette do?
I went to the Innovative show in NJ. I managed, with a lot of difficulty, to restrain myself. I bought some 6mm Bali daisy spacers, some great lampwork beads in pairs from Nolly Gelsinger (Nolly's Folly), some 8mm jade and a diamond shaped Jade centerpiece for myself and some square cut green calcedony for a bracelet for a customer. The show was in a much better location this year, a Doubletree hotel as opposed to a noisy, hot, smelly armory. There were several lampworkers there, lots of dealers with mixed Czech glass, one Swarovski dealer, two dealers with Bali, one of which had Karen Hill Tribe as well, and several gem dealers. I thought the gem prices and quality were outstanding and wish I had more of a budget. I also saw some interesting thin, Boro beads (deep purple with dichroic accents) in a curved, flat shape, these are Italian glass or at least they had an Italian name on them, there were different shapes available, selling 5 for $20.00.
Nolly and I had dinner afterwards which was great fun.
Patti